With support from The Nippon Foundation, delivering 'Nutrition, Learning, and Memories to Children'

The Ando Sports and Food Culture Promotion Foundation (Chairman: Hiroki Ando, hereinafter referred to as the Ando Foundation) will launch a new "Food Education and Food Experience Program for Children during Summer Vacation" starting July 2026, with support from The Nippon Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Nippon Foundation) and in collaboration with the latter.

Starting with support for approximately 17,000 people through optimized nutritional food, we will hold challenges for Guinness World RecordsTM *[1] and nutrition seminars!

The Cabinet Office's "Kodomo Mannaka Action Plan 2026" *[2] calls for integrated strengthening of support in areas such as education, living, and food to break the "cycle of poverty" in economically disadvantaged households. The plan requires the establishment of a seamless support system throughout the community that does not break even during long vacation periods like summer vacation, by ensuring access to food through initiatives like child home delivery and by early detection and monitoring of children in need through outreach support *[3].

In addition, the "Summer Vacation Children's Emergency Safety Net Construction Plan" *[4] points out that during the summer vacation period when there are no opportunities to attend school, issues such as children not being able to secure sufficient nutritious meals and the isolation of households that are difficult to identify tend to become apparent.

Against this backdrop, the Ando Foundation, in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation, which has been involved in child support for many years, will launch new outreach support focusing on the summer vacation period when school lunches are unavailable, primarily for children who may experience disparities in daily meals and educational activities.

This project will go beyond simple calorie replenishment, delivering "optimized nutritional food" with a balanced and appropriate adjustment of essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.) in a set with a fun food education program, in cooperation with local governments and support organizations, to children in need.

Furthermore, using this food support as a starting point, we will connect children to nutrition, learning, and memory-making through challenges for Guinness World RecordsTM and nutrition seminars inviting athletes. Through this, we aim to prevent children's isolation and resolve the disparities in "food" and "experiences" that tend to widen during summer vacation.

"Food Education and Food Experience Program during Summer Vacation" Overview

Target: Children aged 18 and under from economically disadvantaged households nationwide

Period: Late July 2026 - Around October 2026 (Varies by program)

Cost: Free (No financial burden on eligible households)

*[1] Largest instant rice cup party in online and a single venue

*[2] Kodomo Mannaka Action Plan 2026 by the Children and Families Agency, June Reiwa 8

*[3] An initiative to proactively deliver necessary services and information to people who need some form of support.

*[4] "Regarding the Utilization of Various Measures Related to Extreme Heat Countermeasures and Food Support During Summer Vacation Periods (Request)" dated May 15, Reiwa 8, from the Children and Families Agency and others.

"Food Education and Food Experience Program during Summer Vacation" Overview

Target: Children aged 18 and under from economically disadvantaged households nationwide

Period: Late July 2026 - Around October 2026 (Varies by program)

Cost: Free (No financial burden on eligible households)

Main Program Content

1. [Food Education & Food Experience] Provision of Diverse Experience Programs with Food as the Entry Point

Event Name: Nutrition Seminar with Professional Basketball Players

~Learn, Eat, and Challenge a Guinness World Record!~

Date: August 30, 2026 (Sun)

Capacity: 100 participants on-site, 1,000 participants online

At "CupNoodles Museum Yokohama," we will hold a nutrition seminar with interaction and quizzes with professional basketball players. Following the seminar, participants will eat "optimized nutritional food" with a balanced diet and challenge a Guinness World Record.

In addition to the above, we will provide multiple experience opportunities in collaboration with various companies and organizations to create learning and social connections for children through food, such as agricultural experiences and online cooking seminars.

2. [Food Support & Food Education Program] Provision of Optimized Nutritional Food

We will provide "optimized nutritional food" certified by the Japan Optimized Nutrition Food Association to eligible children in sets equivalent to 8 meals per person, to prevent skipped meals during summer vacation and supplement nutrition.

We plan to support approximately 17,000 people in cooperation with local governments nationwide, including Osaka City.

About the Ando Sports and Food Culture Promotion Foundation

Guided by the philosophy of founder Momofuku Ando that "food and sports are the two wheels that support health," the Ando Foundation works to foster the sound mind and body of young people and improve social well-being. Through five business areas—sports support, nature experience activities, food culture promotion, invention hall operations, and social welfare—we provide diverse learning and growth opportunities and respond to new social challenges.

About The Nippon Foundation

Pain, Hope, Future, Together.

Founded in 1962 as Japan's largest foundation, The Nippon Foundation (https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/) promotes activities in a wide range of fields, including children, persons with disabilities, disaster relief, marine conservation, and humanitarian aid, transcending race and borders, funded by grants from boat race proceeds.

What is Optimized Nutritional Food?

"Optimized nutritional food" is food where major nutrients are appropriately balanced and adjusted according to individual conditions, such as age, gender, and lifestyle habits. The certification mark is awarded only to products that meet the registered nutritional design standards of the "Japan Optimized Nutrition Food Association (https://www.saiteki-eiyo.org)" without excess or deficiency.

Certified Mark for Optimized Nutritional Food